Very nice!  I didn't even know about Missbabs.  Did you like them?  Like their service?  How was their shipping?  The batts look nice, but I'm especially interested in their undyed fibre.  Was their product everything it promised to be?

I bought from Miss Babs at a fiber fair -- Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF) so I can't speak to their shipping (though for service I can attest that she thought it was very funny when I picked up the batt, hugged it, and didn't let it go).

I'm a beginning spinner, so I also can't compare the batt to much, but I thought the colors were excellent and vibrant, and the fiber soft and smooshy, and easy to work with. After a wash it came out just as bright as it had been in spinning.

...I hope that helps!

Thanks, y'all!

Lovely colors; does it have a name yet?

I'm calling it "Awesome" because I'm so pleased with it, but that's not an official name.

Spinning's addictive, innit?

Oh for reals! Right after I plied this I placed an order for more roving. Should be here at the end of this week. I hope I can wait that long.

This is my second plied yarn! I used a BFL (er, I think) batt from Miss Babs (http://www.missbabs.com).



I haven't the faintest idea about yardage, which doesn't matter as I'm perfectly happy just snuggling it for now.

You can also get Dale of Norway's Hauk. It's treated with teflon so it's super water resistant. I haven't actually seen/used it, so I can't attest to how it feels, but I hear good things about Dale of Norway all the time. Also, wool knit at a tight gauge is great about keeping water out. Happy knitting!

I wanted a no-think project -- you know, actually get gauge, no modifications. So I chose Meg Swansen's arch-shaped stockings from Vogue Knitting Fall '06.

Ha. Ha ha ha. Ha. I got gauge, but the stockings aren't so much made for curvy-calved folks (like me!) and the pattern itself... wasn't as detailed as I would've liked (they don't explain how the heel should look AND there are no pictures of it), but I slogged through and finally did it! Turns out it's less of a "pattern" and more of a "guideline."

What I didn't get I just made up. Here they are!

More on my blog.

You have excellent timing! I just flew to Scotland and back last week! With needles, going TO the UK should be fine. TheCraftyCat is right -- it does come down to the screener and what they decide to let through.

I flew Delta on the way back and they had a sign up saying knitting needles were banned. The Delta security chap said it was up to me, but there was no guarantee that they wouldn't get taken away. I think I probably could've gotten away with it, but didn't want to chance it.

As has been said, your best bet is bamboo (they look like pencils). Circs are great if only because it's darn hard to pick up a straight/dpn from an airplane seat (ask me how I know!). If you want to chance it on the way back and are okay with potentially losing a set of needles, bring stitch holders so you don't have to lose your whole project (or drop any stitches unnecessarily). I don't know if you want to be TOO sneaky about it -- security might frown on it.

I also would love to know where in Scotland you're going!

The Yarn Harlot said something in one of her books that really stuck with me, which is that acrylic isn't great for baby items because when it comes in contact with lots of heat or fire it melts. Wool stops burning when the flame is taken away.

I'd recommend superwash wool because it can be thrown in the washer (Elizabeth Zimmerman maintains that parents have time to hand wash hand knits, and I... just think that's not true) and it'll wear better over time.

Can't wait to see what you knit!

I just used regular scotch tape. Double-sided would've been better, but I didn't have any.

What timing! Check out what the Yarn Harlot has to say:

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2007/02/28/garter_is_good.html

Knit on!

I saw a demonstration on felt hat molding ages ago. They steamed the felt and stretched it over a mold (they talk about it in the stetson link above). I don't know how well it keeps its form over time, but DUDE that looks cool! I can't wait to see your results!